Page 676 - LITTLE WOMEN

Little Women

‘I meant the first dance. May I have the honor?’
‘I can give you one if I put off the Count. He dances
devinely, but he will excuse me, as you are an old friend,’
said Amy, hoping that the name would have a good effect,

and show Laurie that she was not to be trifled with.
‘Nice little boy, but rather a short Pole to support . .. A
daughter of the gods, Devinely tall, and most devinely
fair,’
was all the satisfaction she got, however.
The set in which they found themselves was composed
of English, and Amy was compelled to walk decorously
through a cotillion, feeling all the while as if she could
dance the tarantella with relish. Laurie resigned her to the
‘nice little boy’, and went to do his duty to Flo, without
securing Amy for the joys to come, which reprehensible
want of forethought was properly punished, for she
immediately engaged herself till supper, meaning to relent
if he then gave any signs penitence. She showed him her
ball book with demure satisfaction when he strolled
instead of rushed up to claim her for the next, a glorious
polka redowa. But his polite regrets didn’t impose upon
her, and when she galloped away with the Count, she saw
Laurie sit down by her aunt with an actual expression of
relief.

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